VMR 3.0 - FAQs

Virtual Mix Rack (VMR) 3 is the latest version of our modular channel strip plugin. This article covers what's new in VMR 3, how licensing works, and common questions carried over from VMR 2.

What's new in VMR 3?

VMR 3 adds 5 major features to the rack.

• Discovery Preset Browser
  Browse an online library of complete VMR chains. Search and filter by instrument, genre, or author, and see which modules make up a preset before you load it.
• Macro Controls
  Map multiple parameters across different modules to a single knob. New VMR 3 presets come with macros already mapped, and you can create your own for any chain.
• External Sidechain Input
  Use a sidechain signal from your DAW to control the dynamics processors inside the rack, including emulations of hardware that never had a sidechain input.
• Module Gain Trimming
  Trim the gain of individual modules to keep your gain staging consistent as the signal moves through the rack.
• Interface Scaling
  Resize the entire VMR interface to fit your screen.

The modules themselves are the same in VMR 2 and VMR 3. The update changes the rack and how you work with your modules.

Is VMR 3 the same as Mix Bundle One?

No. VMR 3 is the rack itself, the plugin that hosts and chains your modules. Mix Bundle One is a bundle of 4 modules (FG-S, FG-N, FG-116, and FG-401) that run inside VMR. Owning VMR does not give you every module. The modules you can use depend on the licenses you own.

For a full breakdown, please see 👉 VMR 3 vs Mix Bundle One: What’s the Difference?

How do I get VMR 3?

Install or update Virtual Mix Rack using Complete Access Hub or the Offline Installers section of our Installers page:
👉 https://app.completeaccess.audio/installers

For supported operating systems and plugin formats, please see our System Requirements.

Do I need a license to use VMR 3?

Not for the rack itself. Starting with versions released on October 15, 2026, Virtual Mix Rack opens without a Virtual Mix Rack license. You only need licenses for the paid modules you want to use.

If you already have a Virtual Mix Rack license in your iLok account, it will stay there. However, it is no longer needed on newer versions.

Which modules can I use for free?

The following modules are free and do not require a license on versions released on or after October 15, 2026.

• Trimmer
• Revival
• The Monster
• FG-Bomber
• AirEQ Air & Earth

On older versions, Trimmer, Revival, and The Monster are included with the free Virtual Mix Rack license, so they never appear as separate licenses in iLok License Manager.

How do I activate my paid modules?

Paid module licenses can be activated to any of the following:

• An iLok 2 or 3 USB dongle
• Your computer (Machine-ID)
• iLok Cloud (Complete Access subscription licenses only)

For step-by-step instructions, please see iLok License Activation in Complete Access Hub.

Will updating to VMR 3 affect my older sessions?

No. VMR 3 replaces the older version of VMR on your system, and your previous sessions will continue to load as before.

Why does the first instance of VMR take longer to load?

The loading panel (blue circle) from VMR 2 has been removed in VMR 3. However, you may notice that the first instance of VMR takes longer to load, especially on Windows, where you'll see a blue spinning wheel while the plugin loads. Please be patient while the first instance loads. Additional instances should load much faster.

This happens because the rack now includes 40+ modules, and VMR checks the license for each one when it loads. Free modules do not require a license check.

To speed up load times, you can remove any modules you don't own or don't use from the rack. For instructions, please see Removing VMR Modules.

When should I use Oversampling?

Our algorithms are designed to sound consistent across all sample rates, so oversampling is not required in most cases. However, at 44.1 or 48kHz, oversampling may improve sound quality with distortion-heavy modules like the Virtual Tube Collection. If you're not using saturation or distortion, you can skip oversampling to save CPU and reduce latency.

Why is my module OFF when I insert it?

A module's on/off state follows the state of the slot it's inserted into. If the slot is OFF, the module will be OFF too. This keeps module behavior consistent and avoids unexpected changes when you swap modules.

Can I go back to an earlier version of VMR?

We recommend using the latest version. If you need an earlier version for compatibility reasons, please see How to Access a Previous Version of Virtual Mix Rack.

❓ Still have questions?

Reach out to our support team for further assistance.